Baseband video signaling for set-top box local loop connection

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a transmodulator unit. The transmodulator unit generally comprises (i) a first input configured to receive a baseband video signal, (ii) a second input configured to receive a first encoded data signal and (iii) an output configured to present a second encoded data signal. The second encoded data signal is generated in response to the first encoded data signal and the baseband video signal. The first encoded data signal comprises an advanced data signal. The second encoded data signal comprises a legacy data signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application may relate to co-pending application Ser. No.10/448,752 filed May 30, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to design architecture for set-top boxesgenerally and, more particularly, to baseband video signaling forset-top box local loop connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional set-top boxes already deployed in the field comply withsome type of modulation and error correction standards. As newmodulation and coding schemes are being introduced, backwardcompatibility in the transmitted signal cannot be preserved at alltimes. Incompatibility often forces service operators to swap out largenumbers of set-top boxes in order to allow the users to receive the newsignal format. Such swap outs are costly and undesirable.

Some conventional approaches to set-top box compatibility implementbackwards-compatible modulation, such as hierarchical modulation. Onesuch approach has been proposed DVB-S2 for satellite transmission.However, backwards compatibility is only a partial solution to theproblem and can have additional drawbacks. In particular, the DVBproposal provides sub-optimal data transmission since some loss isintroduced. The additional loss has resulted in other operators avoidingthe implementation of the proposal.

It would be desirable to implement a transmodulator that may beinstalled in the signal path before the set-top box to convert anadvanced data signal to a legacy data signal for set-top boxes that arenot compliant with the advanced data signal. It would also be desirableto implement baseband video signaling for a set-top box local loopconnection to provide continuous communication with the transmodulatorunit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising a transmodulatorunit. The transmodulator unit generally comprises (i) a first inputconfigured to receive a baseband video signal, (ii) a second inputconfigured to receive a first encoded data signal and (iii) an outputconfigured to present a second encoded data signal. The second encodeddata signal is generated in response to the first encoded data signaland the baseband video signal. The first encoded data signal comprisesan advanced data signal. The second encoded data signal comprises alegacy data signal.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention includeproviding baseband video signaling for a set-top box local loopconnection that may (i) implement a continuous one-way communicationchannel; (ii) enable real time data transfers; (iii) communicateprogramming information from a legacy set-top box to an auxiliary unit;(iv) route baseband video signal from a set-top box through auxiliaryunit; (v) encode information in the vertical blanking interval of avideo signal; (vi) provide a transmodulator unit configured to decodemessages embedded in the vertical blanking interval; (vii) operate at arate defined by the vertical blanking interval and/or (viii) not affectthe properties of the displayed video signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description andthe appended claims and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmodulator system in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of a vertical blanking interval;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram of another embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a more detailed diagram of the processing section of FIG. 2illustrating an I/Q implementation output; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a communication process in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may enable legacy receivers (or set-top boxes)already deployed in the field to continuously communicate with auxiliaryunits (e.g., a transmodulator unit, etc.) for providing compatibilitywith advanced modulation/FEC signals (e.g., 8PSK and Turbo Coded signal,a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC), etc.) when the receiver is notcompliant with the advanced signal. The present invention may beimplemented between an auxiliary unit (e.g., a satellite signaltransmodulator) and a set top box to provide a continuous communicationchannel for programming the auxiliary unit. The present invention mayprovide one or more of the following (i) a conversion from one format(e.g., 8PSK/16QAM+TC signals or LDPC signals) to another format (e.g.,QPSK DVB-S signals), (ii) implement a radio frequency (RF) loop throughbypass of the module for operation in one implementation of a legacymode, and (iii) pass LNB supply current from a set-top box (STB) to adish antenna. The legacy mode may provide low power consumption sincethe transmodulator can be put on standby or sleep. Another option forthe legacy mode may be to have the transmodulator configured for atransparent mode (e.g., demodulation and modulation of the same dataformat). The present invention may also (i) be implemented at a lowcost, (ii) be implemented with a small form factor, (iii) provide easyinstallation, (iv) have low power consumption, (v) support DVB-S2 toDVB-S conversion and/or (vi) be implemented as a single integratedcircuit.

The main functions of the transmodulator of the present invention may beimplemented by using existing technology. However, functions such asMPEG null packet loading are not available with standard products usedin the set-top box (STB) industry. The transmodulator may be implementedanywhere in the signal chain before the set-top box. In one example, thetransmodulator may be implemented indoors in the vicinity of the STB. Inanother example, the transmodulator may be implemented outdoors in thevicinity of the receiving dish antenna.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system 100 is shown. Thesystem 100 generally comprises an auxiliary unit (or circuit) 102 and aset-top box (STB) 104. In one example, the auxiliary unit 102 may beimplemented as a transmodulator unit. A power supply 106 may presentpower to the circuit 102. The circuit 102 may receive an encoded signal(e.g., FROM_DISH). The STB 104 may generate a signal (e.g.,VIDEO_OUTPUT). The signal VIDEO_OUTPUT may comprise a baseband videosignal that may be presented to (i) the circuit 102 and (ii) a monitoror other video device or appliance (e.g., television, VCR, DVD recorder,etc.). The signal VIDEO_OUTPUT may be presented in one or more videoformats (e.g., composite, S-video, component, RGB, AND, NTSC, PAL,SECAM, etc.). In a minimal cost environment, a composite signal may bepreferred. In one example, the power supply 106 may be implemented as anAC-DC adaptor. However, other power sources may be implemented to meetthe design criteria of a particular implementation. In another example,a power supply may be received from the 13v/18v supply in the low noiseblock (LNB) of a dish.

The circuit 102 may be implemented using a single integrated circuit ora number of integrated circuits that operate from the same externalpower supply 106 or from power received from the set-top box 104.Regardless of the level of integration and partitioning the followingfunctions are generally implemented (i) a receiver/tuner and (ii) atransmitter/modulator. The receiver/tuner and the transmitter/modulatormay be implemented as a single integrated circuit or a number ofintegrated circuits.

The circuit 102 generally comprise an input section (or circuit) 110, ademodulation/modulation (or processing) section (or circuit) 112 and aninput/output section (or circuit) 113. The input section 110 may beimplemented as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver (to be described indetail in connection with FIG. 3) or a tuner (to be described in detailin connection with FIG. 4). The processing circuit 112 may beimplemented as a transmodulator circuit. The input/output circuit 113may be implemented as a conversion circuit. For example, theinput/output circuit 113 may be configured to convert input and outputsignals between analog and digital formats. The input/output circuit 113may be configured to receive information from the STB 104 directly andpresent information to the STB 104 through (via) the input section 110.

Communication between the STB 104 and the transmodulator unit 102 may beimplemented through a first feeder (e.g., a coaxial cable) 114 and asecond feeder 115. The cables 114 and 115 may allow programming of thetransmodulator unit 102. Such communication may also be used to readback information used by a CPU (not shown) in the STB 104. Thecommunication protocol implemented is generally compatible with existingsignaling since the circuit 102 is generally designed to operate withlegacy receivers. In a satellite implementation, the use of a 22 kHztone (sometimes referred to as a DiSEqC compliant tone) is generallypossible. The 22 kHz tone is normally available between the STB 104 andthe low noise block (LNB) of the dish antenna. Low speed, temporary datatransfer may be achieved by using signaling schemes involving the 22 kHztone, toggling the 13-18V LNB supply, etc. However, such schemes may belimited to times when the STB 104 is not in use (e.g., when a user isnot watching television, during channel changes, etc.).

The present invention may implement a second, one-way communicationchannel by splitting the signal VIDEO_OUTPUT and routing the basebandvideo signal from the STB 104 to the circuit 102. Dedicated signalcomponents (e.g., the vertical blanking interval (VBI), etc.) may beencoded in the STB 104 in such a way that the properties of thedisplayed video signal are not affected. The encoding and embeddingdescribed may be present in legacy set-top boxes. Such encoding schemesare currently implemented in MPEG (digital video) decoder IC, such asthose in the SC2000 family from LSI Logic. Such encoding schemes areused for supporting applications such as teletext, cc, etc. In oneexample, the close caption (cc) line may be modified to provide theone-way communication channel to the circuit 102. For example, thecircuit 102 may be configured to decode messages embedded in the VBI ofthe signal VIDEO_OUTPUT.

The functions of the circuit 102 may be programmed during verticalblanking interval (VBI) slots in the video signal VIDEO_OUTPUT of STB104. In such an implementation, the signal VIDEO_OUTPUT may be loopedthrough the circuit 102. The programming of the circuit 102 may occur atthe rate of the VBI. While the rate of communication based on the signalVIDEO_OUTPUT may be low, the advantage of the method is that acontinuous channel is generally provided. Also, such an implementationmay be useful in applications where the STB 104 needs to write to thecircuit 102 while (e.g., simultaneously with) providing service. Forexample, basing communication on the signal VIDEO_OUTPUT may avoidpossible interference that may be associated with the 22 KHz tonesignaling. Such an implementation may also be useful when a read back isdone via null packets. The present invention may provide a continuous,one-way channel that enables real time data transfers. While the presentinvention may be implemented as a discrete device, an integratedsolution may reduce cost, size and/or power.

Referring to FIG. 2, a timing diagram illustrating a baseband videosignal is shown. In one example, the signal VIDEO_OUTPUT may comprise aninterlaced video signal comprising a number of frames where each framehas a first (or top) field (e.g., the top signal of FIG. 2) and a second(or bottom) field (e.g., the bottom signal of FIG. 2). In anotherexample, the signal VIDEO_OUTPUT may comprise a progressive scan videosignal comprising a number of complete frames.

When the signal VIDEO_OUTPUT comprises an interlaced signal, each of thefields may comprise a number of unused scan lines that may be availablefor use as a one-way communication channel between the STB 104 and theauxiliary unit 102. For example, unused scan lines may be part of anoverscan region or a blanking interval. In one example, lines 6-22 inthe first field and lines 269-285 (e.g., for NTSC format video) or lines319-335 (e.g., for PAL/SECAM format video) may be available forembedding programming information to be transmitted from the STB 104 tothe auxiliary unit 102. When the signal VIDEO_OUTPUT comprises aprogressive scan signal, a similar number of lines (e.g., the combinednumber for both fields) may be available in each frame. The programminginformation may be encoded, for example, similarly to closed captioninformation or teletext pages. However, other encoding and/or embeddingschemes may be implemented accordingly to meet the design criteria of aparticular implementation.

Referring to FIG. 3, a more detailed diagram of the transmodulatorcircuit 102 is shown. An output of the STB 104 may be coupled via asplitter (e.g., an RCA-Y) 116 to the feeder 115 and a video device 118(e.g., a TV set). In one example, the circuit 110 may be implemented asa transceiver circuit. The processing section 112 may comprise a block(or circuit) 130, a block (or circuit) 132, a PID filter section (orcircuit) 140, an interface module (or circuit) 142 and an extractionblock (or circuit) 144. The input/output section 113 generally comprisesa conversion circuit 146, a conversion circuit 148, and a conversioncircuit 150. The extraction circuit 144 may be implemented, in oneexample, as a VBI extraction circuit. The conversion circuits 146 and148 may be implemented as digital to analog (D/A) conversion circuits(also referred to as DACs). The conversion circuit 150 may beimplemented as an analog to digital (A/D) conversion circuit.

A control interface 160 may communicate with the interface module 142over a control line 162. The control interface 160 may be configured touse the DC (13-18V) supply modulated with the 22 kHz tone from the LNB.The circuit 144 may be configured to decode embedded information encodedsimilarly to closed captioning (CC) or teletext using VBI slots orChroma on the baseband video signal VIDEO_OUTPUT. The embeddedinformation may comprise messages for programming the transmodulatorunit 102 during operation of the STB 104.

In one example, the transceiver 110 may be implemented as an L-bandtransceiver. The transceiver 110 may comprise a receiver (or tuner)block (or circuit) 170 and a transmitter block (or circuit) 172. Thetuner 170 generally comprises a phase locked loop (PLL) 174, a filterblock (or circuit) 176, a filter block (or circuit) 178, a mixer block(or circuit) 180 and a mixer block (or circuit) 181. A node (e.g.,RF_BYPASS) may be connected between the tuner 170 and the transmit block172. The transmitter block 172 generally comprises a mixer block (orcircuit) 182, a mixer block (or circuit) 184, a filter block (orcircuit) 186, a filter block (or circuit) 188 and a summing block (orcircuit) 185. A filter block (or circuit) 190 may be coupled between theoutput of the DAC 148 and the filter 186. A filter block (or circuit)192 may be coupled between the output of the DAC 146 and the filter 188.The filters 176, 178, 186, 188, 190 and 192 may be implemented as lowpass filters.

The circuit 140 may provide program filtering by implementing a PIDfilter. The circuit 140 may be controlled through a control interface.The output circuit 113 may present quadrature signals (e.g., I and Q)from the DACS 146 and 148 for a Zero-IF RF Modulation implementation. Adirect RF from V-DAC (harmonic) may be implemented.

The signal VIDEO_OUTPUT to the input/output section 113 is generallyavailable from the STB 104 at all times. A signal (or interface) via thefeeder 114 (e.g., from the input section 110 or 110′) may only beavailable when the STB 104 is not used for watching a program. Theinput/output section 113 may be implemented with a single DAC or withtwo or more DACs.

The processing section 112 may be implemented, in one example, as atransmodulator integrated circuit. The receiver 130 may be implementedas a satellite receiver. The processing section 112 may be used toreduce throughput needed for 20 MSps (or 27.5 MSp; 22.0 Msp, etc.)transmission to the STB 104. The processing section 112 may beconfigured to present a direct IF (e.g., with a single DAC) or thesignals I and Q (e.g., via the pair of DACs 146 and 148). Typically, a6-8 bit converter may be implemented for the signals I/Q and a converterwith approximately 10-bits may be implemented for an IF output.Communication is generally maintained with the STB 104 via VBI and MPEGlayer signaling or via the 22 KHz modulation on the LNB supply. Thepower consumption of the circuit 112 may be in the range of 0.5-1.5 W.

In the case of a satellite STB 104, the tuner 120 may be implementedwith zero-IF (e.g., direct conversion) that may allow sharing of the PLL174 with the Tx modulator 172. Such an implementation may provideimproved performance in terms of interference. The transmitter modulator172 may be implemented with a zero-IF architecture (for satelliteapplications) in order to use the PLL 174 from the input section 170.Such an approach has a number of advantages. For example, an incomingchannel and a transmitted channel may be implemented using the samefrequency. By using the same frequency, a reduction of the possibleinterference that may appear due to second and third order products withchannels sitting at other frequencies is generally achieved.

Referring to FIG. 4, a more detailed diagram of an exampletransmodulator circuit 112 is shown. The transmodulator circuit 112generally maintains functionality for standalone receiver applications.The transmodulator 112 generally reduces throughput for a legacy rate(e.g., 20 MSps) transmission to the STB 104 for legacy boxcompatibility. The transmodulator 102 presents either a direct signal RFor a composite signal I and Q via an n-bit (e.g., 4-6 bit) DAC (orsigma-delta modulator). Communication may be established with the STB104 via VBI signaling, MPEG layer and/or coax cable (13-18v) DCmodulated with 22 KHz. While the circuit 102 of FIG. 4 generallyillustrates the output circuit 113 having a DAC 146 and a DAC 148, theoutput circuit 113 may be implemented with a single DAC configured topresent a signal IF as needed to meet the design criteria of aparticular implementation.

The circuit 112 may comprise an additional auxiliary section (orcircuit) 130 a and a global control block (or circuit) 220. The circuit130 a generally comprises a bus interface 130 b, a bus interface 130 c,a transmit (Tx) circuit 130 d and an interface 130 e. The bus interface130 b may be implemented with a 2 wire serial bus. The bus interface 130c may be implemented with a one wire serial bus. The transmit circuit130 d may be DiSeQc compliant. The interface 130 e may be implemented asa tuner/serial interface.

The circuit 220 generally comprises a block (or circuit) 222, a block(or circuit) 224, a block (or circuit) 226, a block (or circuit) 228, ablock (or circuit) 230 and a block (or circuit) 232. The circuit 222 maybe implemented as a microprocessor (or microcontroller). Similarly, thecircuit 224 may also be implemented as a microprocessor (ormicrocontroller). The circuit 226 may be implemented as a PLL circuit.The circuit 228 may also be implemented as a PLL. The circuit 230 may beimplemented as an analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit. The circuit232 may comprise an extraction circuit. The circuit 232 may beimplemented as a VBI signaling decoder circuit. The decoded informationis passed to the interface/control module 234 which is connected to thecircuit 130 a, the circuit 130, the circuit 140, the circuit 132, thecircuit 222 and the circuit 224 by a control bus.

Details of the circuit 130, the circuit 132 and the circuit 140 are alsoshown. In particular, the circuit 130 generally comprises a conversioncircuit 240, a conversion circuit 242, a demodulation circuit 244 and adecoder circuit 246. The conversion circuits 240 and 242 may beimplemented as analog to digital converter (ADC) circuits. The circuit244 may be implemented as a QPSK/8PSK/16QAM/etc. demodulator. Thecircuit 246 may be implemented as a DVB-S2 or Turbo Code Decoder.However, other implementations may be used to meet the design criteriaof a particular implementation. The circuit 130 may present a bitstreamto the circuit 140. The bitstream may be compliant with one or morestandards (e.g., MPEG, H.264, etc.).

The circuit 140 generally comprises a circuit 250, a circuit 252, acircuit 254, a circuit 256 and a circuit 258. The circuit 250 generallycomprises a channel interface packet memory circuit. The circuit 254generally comprises a packet stuffing PID change circuit. The circuit254 generally comprises a PID filter circuit. The circuit 256 generallycomprises a first-in first-out (FIFO) buffer. The circuit 258 generallycomprises a PCR retiming circuit. The circuit 250 may be connected tothe circuit 254. The circuit 252, the circuit 254, and the circuit 258generally present signals to the circuit 256. The circuits 254 and 258generally receive information from the circuit 224. The PLL circuit 226may provide a clock signal to the circuit 256. The circuit 256 isgenerally coupled to the circuit 132.

The circuit 132 generally comprises a circuit 260, a circuit 262, acircuit 264, a circuit 266, a circuit 268, a circuit 270, and a circuit272. The circuit 260 generally comprises a DVD-S/DSS (legacy) encoder.The circuit 262 generally comprises a square root raised cosine/matchedfilter (SRRC/MF) circuit. Similarly, the circuit 264 generally comprisesa SRRC/MF circuit. The circuit 266 may be implemented as an interpolatorcircuit. Similarly, the circuit 268 may be implemented as aninterpolator circuit. The circuit 270 may be implemented as anumerically controlled oscillator (NCO) circuit. The circuit 272 may beimplemented as a transmit control and synchronization circuit. Theinterpolator 266 and the interpolator 268 present signals to the outputcircuit 113. The circuit 232 may be implemented with existing componentsand techniques similar to close captioning and teletext.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow diagram is shown illustrating a process 300in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Theprocess 300 generally provides a method for baseband video signaling ina set-top box local loop connection. In a step 302, programminginformation for an auxiliary unit (e.g., a transmodulator unit) isgenerally embedded and/or encoded in, for example, the vertical blankingintervals of the baseband video output of a set-top box. In a step 304,the baseband video output of the set-top box is generally split andpresented to (i) a display device and (ii) an input of the auxiliaryunit. In a step 306, the programming information in the verticalblanking interval of the baseband video signal received from the set-topbox is generally extracted and/or decoded by the auxiliary unit. In astep 308, the programming information controls (or configures) one ormore operations (e.g., transmodulation of a satellite signal forpresentation to the set-top box) of the auxiliary unit.

The system 100 may allow fast read back. For example, the demodulatedsignal is generally decoded to MPEG frames and made ready forre-encoding/re-modulation in the legacy format. Prior to encoding, thenull packets in the stream are detected and loaded with the register mapof the whole module. The PID of the packet is changed in order to makethe packet recognizable at the output of the STB 104.

The system 100 may use an integrated Zero IF receiver with a Zero IFtransmitter. The system 100 may implement a single PLL when an outputchannel is at a frequency similar to, or at a harmonic (e.g., x2, x3,x4, etc.) of, a frequency of an input channel. One or more transmitchannels (e.g., Tx) may have Gain Control for matching the input channelpower (to lower input/output crosstalk).

The circuit 100 may present a number of RF issues that may be resolved.For example, crosstalk may arise from a signal RF_IN on an interface 191to a signal RF_OUT on an interface 193. One approach to reducedistortion is to implement the Zero-IF Tx on the same channel and at thesame frequency as the input channel. Such an implementation can sharethe same VCO and does not generate in-band high order products withincoming signals. A transmit automatic gain control (AGC) may beimplemented to track incoming desired channel and maintain a desiredpower difference in between the received and the transmitted channels.The transmit signals Tx on the interface 193 may be transmitted at lowerpower to reduce the crosstalk to the signal RF_INPUT. The transmitsignals Tx may tolerate a certain amount of distortion since no othersignificant source of noise is present when the channel between thecircuit 202 and STB 204 is implemented with a short connection. Theminimum acceptable power level for the STB (e.g., in the range of −65dBm) at RF_OUT may be acceptable at all times.

The present invention has been described in the context of an interfacebox. However, the present invention may be implemented anywhere in thedata path before a legacy STB. For example, the present invention may beimplemented in an expansion slot of the STB. In another example, thepresent invention may be implemented in a multi-dish switch between theSTB and the satellite LNBs. Furthermore, the present invention mayinclude an RF loop bypass that passes the incoming signal directly.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, while the present invention has been described in connectionwith a satellite system, the present invention may easily be implementedin other architectures and applications such as cable and terrestrialSTBs.

1. An apparatus comprising: a transmodulator unit comprising (i) a firstinput configured to receive a baseband video signal, (ii) a second inputconfigured to receive a first encoded data signal and (iii) an outputconfigured to present a second encoded data signal to a legacy receiver,wherein (i) said second encoded data signal is generated in response toboth said first encoded data signal and said baseband video signal, (ii)said first encoded data signal comprises an advanced data signal that isnot compliant with said legacy receiver, (iii) said second encoded datasignal comprises said first encoded data signal converted to a legacydata signal that is compliant with said legacy receiver, and (iv) saidbaseband video signal comprises information generated by said legacyreceiver and said information is used to program said transmodulatorunit to convert said first encoded data signal to said second encodeddata signal.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein (i) saidbaseband video signal comprises embedded programming information and(ii) one or more operations of said transmodulator unit are controlledin response to said embedded programming information.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, further comprising: a set-top box configured (i)to generate said baseband video signal in response to said secondencoded data signal and (ii) to embed said programming information insaid baseband video signal.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3,further comprising: a splitter comprising (i) an input port coupled tosaid set-top box, (ii) a first output port coupled to saidtransmodulator unit and (iii) a second output port coupled to a videodevice.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said programminginformation is embedded in a vertical blanking interval of said basebandvideo signal.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidtransmodulator unit further comprises: a conversion circuit configuredto convert said baseband video signal from an analog form to a digitalform; and an extraction circuit configured to (i) extract said embeddedprogramming information from said digital form of said baseband videosignal, or (ii) extract said embedded programming information from saiddigital form of said baseband video signal and decode said embeddedprogramming information.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 3, whereinsaid transmodulation unit is configured to communicate with said set-topbox using MPEG signal elements that do not contain information of aprogram to be displayed.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:said first encoded data signal comprises at least one of (i) an MPEG4signal and (ii) a digital data signal; and said second encoded datasignal comprises at least one of (i) a MPEG2 signal and a MPEG signal.9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmodulator unitis implemented as a single integrated circuit.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said second input of said transmodulatorunit is further configured to connect to at least one of (i) a low noiseblock (LNB) of a satellite dish or other antenna, (ii) an over the air(OTA) antenna and (iii) a cable television signal.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said advanced data signal comprises atleast one of (i) an 8PSK, 16QAM or similar digitally modulated signaland (ii) a Turbo, LDPC (low density parity check) or other similar codedsignal.
 12. A transmodulator unit configured to support baseband videosignaling in a set-top box local loop connection comprising: means forreceiving a baseband video signal comprising programming informationembedded in at least one of a vertical blanking interval and a chromaportion of said baseband video signal, wherein said programminginformation is generated by a legacy receiver; and means for controllingsaid transmodulator unit to convert a first encoded data signal that isnot compliant with said legacy receiver to a second encoded data signalthat is compliant with said legacy receiver, wherein said transmodulatorunit converts said first encoded data signal to said second encoded datasignal in response to both said first encoded data signal and saidprogramming information embedded in said baseband video signal.
 13. Amethod for baseband video signaling in a set-top box local loopconnection comprising the steps of: (A) receiving a baseband videosignal comprising embedded programming information, wherein saidprogramming information is generated by a legacy receiver; and (B)controlling a transmodulator unit in response to both a first encodeddata signal and said embedded programming information to convert saidfirst encoded data signal that is not compliant with said legacyreceiver to a second encoded data signal that is compliant with saidlegacy receiver.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein saidembedded programming information is encoded.
 15. The method according toclaim 13, wherein said programming information is embedded in saidbaseband video signal in a set-top box connected to said transmodulatorunit.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the stepsof: coupling said set-top box to an input port of a splitter; couplingsaid transmodulator unit to a first output port of said splitter; andcoupling a display device to a second port of said splitter.
 17. Themethod according to claim 13, wherein said programming information isembedded in a vertical blanking interval of said baseband video signal.18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of:converting said baseband video signal from an analog form to a digitalform; and extracting said embedded information from said digital form ofsaid baseband video signal.
 19. The method according to claim 18,further comprising the step of: decoding said embedded programminginformation.
 20. The method according to claim 16, further comprisingthe step of: embedding said programming information in said basebandvideo signal such that display of said baseband video signal on saiddisplay is unaffected.
 21. The method according to claim 15, wherein thestep (B) comprises: controlling transmodulation of a video signal froman advanced format to a legacy format compliant with said set-top box.22. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a local loopconnection between said legacy receiver and said transmodulator unit,wherein said transmodulator unit is able to convert said first encodeddata signal into said second encoded data signal only after saidtransmodulator receives said information in said baseband video signal.